The Professional

Review:

KC's worst book ever.  This would have been a DNF, but I needed a book with an ex-con for a challenge and this fit the bill.

Natalie was adopted.  She is looking for her biological parents.  Surprise! Her dad is Russian mafia.  Sevestyan is the bodyguard sent to "protect" her.

Lets start with Natalie.  She's 24.  Has been "picky" about guys and remains a virgin.  So, of course she goes all lusty over Sevestyan (who is tattooed, a bad boy).  I rolled my eyes so many times they got stuck in the back of my head.  She's also TSLT.

Sevestyan- he is an asshole.  Plain and simple.  He's so cliche- piss poor childhood, abusive father, loves sex and is very, very experienced.  Therefore, he's broken and of course into BDSM!

I've wasted way too much time on a shitty book.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1836776/the-professional

Magic Shifts

Review:

M.S. opens a few months after breaking off from the pack. Kate and Curran are living in suburbia. George (Mahon's daughter) comes to see them after her boyfriend goes missing and no one from the Pack looks for him.
This had action. Tons of it. The banter I adore. The scene from Applebees. 
Someone that could have helped and didn't 

[spoiler]

Saiman

[/spoiler]

.  I liked the revelations about the ghouls 

[spoiler]

djinn with no magic

[/spoiler]

. There wasn't much in the Roland story-line. A few books ago I would have said he is evil and wants Kate dead, but now? Maybe he's changed? Or he wants us to think it because he's really evil. I'll be finding out!

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1835676/magic-shifts

Thief of Shadows

Review:

After reading Scandalous Desires, I really was looking forward to this one (and like S.D., the epilogue sets up book 5). I wasn't disappointed. Winter was everything anyone could want in one of the main characters. Isabel was a good character too, even if I took a little longer to warm up to her.
But back to Winter. He is an unconventional character in a historical romance. He's not of the nobility. He's the son of a beer brewer who runs an orphanage. He is poor. He is younger than Isabel. He is a virgin. I can't think of anything I didn't absolutely adore! Bottom line: he and Isabel are perfect together.
I enjoyed the secondary characters. I would have liked a bit more on the mystery of the "lassie snatchers," like was Roger in on it? And who murdered him? Maybe book 5 will tell that story?
Character guide and spoilers:

[spoiler]

Isabel Beckinhall was married to a much older man when she was very young, he died leaving his mistress and son (Christoper) without. Isabel takes in Christoper. It turns out she's had many miscarriages and has been told she is barren.
Winter: single, runs the foundling home, teaches, virgin, ghost of St Giles (one of them).
Both Temperance (#1) and Hero (#2) find out they are pregnant.
Margaret (Griffin's sister) was in love with and pregnant by Roger Fraser-Burnsby. He's murdered in this book. Presumably by Ghost of St Giles. RF-B was friends with Viscount Adam d'Argue (might be an interesting character), Earl Kershaw, and Mr Seymour (killed by Winter in self-defense, was also responsible for abuse and enslavement of the poor girls).
St John is Lazarus's (Lord Caire of book 1) friend mourning death of wife, Clara. His book is next. He also happens to be the Ghost of St Giles. One of them.

[/spoiler]

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1833860/thief-of-shadows

Temporal Shift

Review:

This picks right up where book 3 (Death Defying) left off with the Blood Hunter going into the black hole to escape their pursuers.  They find another world, an alternate/parallel universe. However, things aren't as they seem,

Saffira has spent her life being told she is the one who will save her people.  She is a "time-mancer."  She also happens to be the strongest "time-mancer" and can see the past/future.  She is very sheltered and naive.  I found her annoying.

Devlin (met him in previous book) is the leader of the rebellion.  He is hell bent on revenge for the murder of his brother.  I thought he was an asshole for most of the book and when he came around, it was too late for me.

I was disappointed in this one.  What was a good sci-fi romance got boggled down with the time travel element.  I would have liked more on the world they landed on.  Then, there's the "Old Ones."  I didn't like how they only "changed" the men.  Women need not apply.  Sexist much?

Not sure if I will read the next.  

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1832357/temporal-shift

Dead Heat

Review:

This is one of my least favorite of the Alpha and Omega series so far (in the Mercy Thompson World/Universe). Anna's birthday is coming up, so Charles plans to get her a surprise. It turns out Charles is old friends with Joseph who just happens to own an Arabian horse farm. Off to Arizona they go- for pleasure and not a job. But, you know it's Charles, so of course something has to happen!
There is a powerful fae loose who is preying on children. Charles and Anna step-up to find the culprit along with Leslie (FBI agent from previous book) and 2 new Cantrip agents (who actually weren't all that bad). 
I get that Charles is 200+ years old. Yes, he has a history. But my issue with this book was, he DIDN'T TELL ANNA ANYTHING! This is what Charles said when he talked about Maggie: "We dated once upon a time," he told her somberly. "Though 'dating' is too formal a word for it. Flirting is better, but too lighthearted." Yeah, I got that they were in LOVE and she picked Joseph for Reasons. But he never forgot her and she him. Whatever dude. You. Had. A. Relationship. And didn't see fit to tell Anna about any of it. No heads up, nothing. 
As for other female characters, I did like Chelsea and Mackie. (Although Mackie is 5). For the most part I do like Anna and I think she's grown so much over the course of the series. What I didn't like (and this is coming from someone who doesn't have kids and NEVER wanted them, so I might not be the best judge here) what her persistence in getting Charles to say yes to kids. I was annoyed that his "no" wasn't treated as a no, but rather something she could change if she pressed hard enough.
So, while I still like this series, I think I'm falling out of love a little bit.

 

 

 

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1831232/dead-heat

Love Lessons

Review:

This was one of the better new adult books I've read. Both Kelly and Walter are likable, the secondary characters are as well. I thought the angst was on point with coming out (for Kelly). However, the angst was also my problem too. It was frustrating; the angst, uncertainty, and *knowing* what the other was thinking. Ack! Just talk already!
I liked the slow-burn. They got to know each other first. I thought they complimented each other perfectly!
One of the things that really irritated me (and considering Walter's family history) was Kelly threatening to hide his Epipen/eat almonds. Just no. I wanted to slap him for that.

 

 

 

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1828982/love-lessons

Paradise 21

Review:

Well, I am a bit disappointed that for such a futuristic book (the crew of the New Dawn have been in space for about 300 years and have another 200 years to go) had way too many patriarchal assholes. Men are the ones in power with women (mostly) in a helpmate/breeding role. Ick. 
Aries was born on the ship and had her job and husband all picked out for her. Barliss was chosen for her and all he sees in her is what she can do for him and give him. She plans her escape and reaches a desert planet Sahara 354. 
I thought that was interesting and wish more time had been spent on the natives there. Barliss (of course) comes after her and destroys what he sees as in his way. I wanted him to have either some epiphany that he was as asshole OR have something (bad) happen to him. He gets rewarded instead. I'm not sure how I feel about the ending with Tiff and Loot.
While the falling in love was fast, there wasn't much romance in this one. Overall, while I liked it, I'm not sure if I will continue on with this series. Book 2 has an overall higher average then this one, so maybe 1 more?

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1827306/paradise-21